NEARLY every family in South Africa had one or at least know someone with one \u2026 that is a VW Golf!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a successor to the iconic Beetle, the front-wheel-drive hatch back VW Golf Mk1 arrived in the country during 1978. So, this year, the Golf celebrates 40 years in the South Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Design work on the Golf began in 1971, with production starting in Germany in March 1974 and deliveries to customers commencing in June 1974.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 31 months in production the Mk1 had already sold 1 million units and its success would continue in South Africa where the hatch back was launched in May 1978.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Production in Uitenhage started with 65 units a day with a local content of 57%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its space-saving front-wheel drive and 1.5-litre four-cylinder transverse front-mounted, water-cooled engine, with just 70 horsepower delivered impressive performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brand new Golf \u2013 R3 985 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The initial launch price of the 1100cc L two-door was R3 985 while the rest of the line-up included the LS four-door priced at R4 135, whilst the 1500cc GLS four-door manual and automatic retailed for R4 940.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the years after 1978 a number of variants were introduced into the model line-up including a diesel version at the end of 1978 and the high performance 1600cc Golf GTS with its matt black bumper, extra-wide radials, bib spoiler, four headlamps, GTS logo and stripes along the bottom of the doors and quarter panels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In less than 12 months (April 1979), the 20 000th Golf was already produced in Uitenhage and by February 1980, the 50 000th Golf, a GTS model, left the production line. By 1981, the 100 000th Golf had been produced \u2013 just over three years since its introduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four years since launch of the Golf Mk1, in 1982 the Golf 1 GTI was launched in South Africa, creating a whole new concept in performance motoring, the \u201cHot Hatch\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1983, almost 10 years after being launched in Europe, the Golf Mk1 was replaced by a larger and more sophisticated second-generation model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Era of Citi Golf <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This paved the way for Volkswagen South Africa to retain the Golf Mk1 so as to maintain a presence in a segment which was about to be vacated by its successor and so the concept of the Citi Golf was born. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
No other vehicle in the history of motoring in South Africa has broken as many records and sold in such high numbers as the Golf Mk1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Citi Golf was produced for 25 years in South Africa and over 370 000 units were sold before production ceased in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1992, the fuel injected Golf 3 was launched in South Africa with an all-new 1.4 petrol engine. Also offered was a naturally aspirated version of the 1.9 L diesel engine, delivering 47 kW. Airbags were first offered on the Golf in 1992, and from 1996 anti-lock brakes were standard across the range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1999, the Golf 4 replaced the Golf 3, setting new class standards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fourth generation was a deliberate attempt to take the Volkswagen Golf further upmarket, with a high-quality interior and higher equipment levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The last generation of the Golf to be built in South Africa was the fifth generation which was launched in August 2004 and racked up 1 300 sales in its debut month. In the following year, a Candy White 2.0 litre Golf became the 750 000th Golf to be produced in Uitenhage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After 30 years and more than 813 000 Golfs made in Uitenhage, production of Golf was stopped in South Africa in December 2008.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This was due to the rationalisation of models to maximise volume production and meet objectives of the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sixth generation imported Golf was launched in South Africa in April 2009. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The model sold in South Africa currently, the Golf 7, was launched in February 2013 and is a segment leader in 2018 with a share of 35%.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEARLY every family in South Africa had one or at least know someone with one … that is a VW 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